HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

92

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting the department of land and natural resources to construct fishing piers in appropriate locations throughout the state.

 

 

WHEREAS, recreational and subsistence fishing, or angling, is an important activity to many residents of Hawaii, and "fishing tourism" has also become an important part of Hawaii's economy; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii originally had only a few species of native fish in its freshwater streams and inlets, but over the years many species have been inadvertently or deliberately introduced, such as bass, trout, and catfish. Along with bluegill sunfish and tilapia, these fish thrive in reservoirs and rivers, and can be fished seasonally with permits; and

WHEREAS, the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources manages the State's marine and freshwater resources through programs in commercial fisheries and aquaculture; aquatic resources protection, enhancement, and education; and recreational fisheries; and

WHEREAS, major program areas of the Division include projects to maximize commercial fishery and aquaculture productivity, protecting native and resident aquatic species and their habitat, and providing facilities and opportunities for recreational fishing consistent with the interests of the State; and

WHEREAS, there are currently four public fishing areas maintained by the State, three of which require fishing permits issued by the Division of Aquatic Resources:

(1) Kokee Public Fishing Area (Kauai) has thirteen miles of streams, two miles of fishable ditches, and a fifteen-acre reservoir. The only species available is rainbow trout, and the season is only open during August and September, with a daily bag limit of seven fish;

(2) Wahiawa Public Fishing Area in central Oahu (Lake Wilson), has a three hundred-acre reservoir with bass, bluegill, channel catfish, tilapia, and carp, among other fishable species. The reservoir is open year-round, but there are size restrictions on different species throughout the year;

(3) Nuuanu Freshwater Fish Refuge at Nuuanu Reservoir #4 (Oahu) has approximately twenty-five acres that is stocked with catfish and tilapia. The reservoir is open three times a year, beginning in May, August, and November. A lottery is held by the Division of Aquatic Resources to determine fishing times for anglers, and applications are made several weeks in advance of each opening date;

(4) Waiakea Public Fishing Area (permit not required) is located near Wailoa River State Park in Hilo. The twenty six-acre springfed pool offers fishing for brackish and saltwater species such as mullet, papio (trevally), and moi (threadfin). There is a total bag limit of twenty fish, of which not more than ten may be mullet;

and

WHEREAS, these public fishing areas are of great importance to the surrounding local communities by providing valuable access to fishing resources for subsistence and recreational anglers in these areas; and

WHEREAS, other reservoirs, stream beds, and stream banks throughout the State are usually privately owned and require the permission of the owners to fish. Most State Forest Reserve Areas also allow fishing, and some plantations offer occasional permits for fishing in their irrigation reservoirs; and

WHEREAS, like many popular human activities, angling can have a significant impact on the resource. Fishery managers must understand the needs and activities of Hawaii's recreational and subsistence fishers if they are to ensure quality marine fishing for future generations; and

WHEREAS, although the activity of a single recreational fisher is not likely to be significant, the combined activity of all Hawaii fishers represents a tremendous amount of fishing effort. Understanding the biological impact and social importance of recreational and subsistence fishing is a vital part of the management process because it helps decision-makers develop wise policies; and

WHEREAS, although Hawaii is blessed with wonderful fishing opportunities, for those who cannot afford to charter fishing boats to pursue big game fishing, or who choose not to pursue shore fishing, the number of opportunities for freshwater fishing off of piers is fairly limited; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to construct fishing piers in appropriate locations throughout the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, prior to constructing additional fishing piers, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to:

(1) Take action on repairing and improving existing piers; determine where piers once existed;

(2) Hold public meetings as to the most appropriate locations to construct additional fishing piers;

(3) Assess the likely impact of fishing piers on the environment, and file environmental assessments or impact statements as required by state law;

(4) Ensure that the cumulative impact of recreational and subsistence fishing will not harm native or endangered aquatic species and their habitats;

(5) Ensure quality marine fishing from the new fishing piers for future generations;

(6) Ensure that fishing piers and associated facilities are designed to provide universal accessibility for the disabled, including constructing paths for the physically impaired; and

(7) Seek any available federal funding, including sport fish restoration or other moneys made available by the United States Department of the Interior;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2003; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Administrator of the Department's Aquatic Resources Division.

 

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Fishing Piers; Construct Additional Piers Throughout the State